Welcome to the UK ARNI Institute website for stroke survivors and families: providing specialist rehabilitation and exercise support after hospital and community physiotherapy finishes.

Click on the booklet to read the latest 2018 ARNI Newsletter

Professor Alan Roberts

Professor Alan Roberts

Alan Clive Roberts is a former Pro-Chancellor, Chairman Court and Council, the University of Leeds 1986-2000. A Fellow and former -Vice President Royal Society of Medicine , Chairman Academic Board, President Technology in Medicine Section and member of Council. Awarded The Medal of The Royal Society of Medicine for Services to Medicine in 2017. He served as an Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty the Queen 1980-1984 and is a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of West Yorkshire, The Gentleman Usher of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor and a Justice of the Peace. Professor Roberts is a Consultant Clinical Scientist and former Director of the Centre for Clinical Prosthetics, Department of Plastic and Maxillo-Facial Surgery and Director of Research and Development for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He is a former Chairman of the Bradford Research Ethics Committee National Research Ethics Service and Professor of Biomaterials in Surgery at the Academic Surgical Unit, School of Medicine, University of Hull and Honorary Professor of Biomaterials, University of Bradford and a Visiting Professor Brunel University.

He was Hon Regional Dean, Royal Society of Medicine Northern and Yorkshire Region and former Treasurer of the Royal Society of Medicine. He is Director of the Biomaterials Research Unit, the University of Bradford, founder and former joint Director of the Institute of Health Research of the University and Bradford Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. He was appointed Chief Executive and Clinical Director of Prosthetic Solutions, Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation University of Bradford in 2006.Appointed the UK member of the EU Medical Ethics NewGeneris Project Advisory Board in 2006- based in Maastricht and is a former Chairman of the Editorial Board, Journal of Clinical Ethics. He has extensive international experience in the field of Clinical Prosthetics and Bio-Materials in Surgery and acts as an expert witness in the High Court and in the preparation of Medico-Legal Reports regarding Prosthetics, Implants and Biomaterials. He is Chairman of the advisory board for Ethical Tissue, Institute of Cancer Therapeutics University of Bradford. Awarded Bio-Bank of the Year 2016.

He was awarded the Prince Philip Medal in 1970 for outstanding research achievement in the field of Implantation Materials in the Human Body, made MBE in 1982 and appointed OBE in 2002.

He was awarded the Insignia Award in Technology in two disciplines. First, in 1969, in respect of his work in Reconstruction of the face by Prosthetic Means and again in 1976, in respect of Material Science in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In 1992 was awarded the Badge of Honour for distinguished service to the Red Cross. In 2001 appointed a Commander of the Most Venerable Order of St John. In 2010 Her Majesty the Queen was graciously pleased to sanction his appointment as a Knight of Justice KStJ for services to Medicine.

In 2011 he was made a Knight Commander of The Military Constantinian Order of St George, KCMCO for services to Global Health. In 2016 Made a Knight, Grand Officer Order of the Eagle of Georgia for services to Medical Technology He is a Companion of the Order the League of Mercy. In 2017 Awarded the Medal of Merit of Georgia.

He has held visiting professor appointments to the Universities of Indiana, Texas and Pennsylvania, USA, as well as the Universities of Bordeaux, France; Utrecht and Twente, Netherlands; St Paulo, Brazil; University of Teheran, Iran; Tsurumi University, Japan; Jakarta, Malta and Moscow. He has also been guest lecturer to the Royal College of Surgeons of England on three occasions. He gave the The Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh and The Royal Society of Medicine Stuart Lecture for 2009. He is a member of the advisory board, The University of Malaysia School of Medicine. A former Examiner to the University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry and an Examiner the University of Malta Dental & Medical School. He was a Council of Europe Fellow to Sweden in 1968 and holds the Voluntary Service Medal of the Red Cross. The Institute of Science and Technology awarded him the Merit and Achievement Award for Medical Materials Science in 1972. The Royal Society of Medicine in 2010 awarded him its highest distinction, Honorary Fellowship for Services to Medicine his name has been placed on the Wall of Honour at the Royal Society of Medicine in London.

Following research at Manchester University into Colour Simulation of Human Skin by Polymers, he was awarded the Research Degree of Master of Philosophy in Materials Science in Surgery. He received his PhD Doctorate from the University of Bradford in Biomedical Sciences with particular reference to research into Adhesives in Reconstructive Surgery and Wound Healing. The result of this research received a drug licence in 1993 (INDERMIL) and is now used world-wide in the field of surgery. His research has produced a further licence in 2006, granted for a Prosthetic Adhesive and Skin Cleansing System (ZEFLOSIL). Awarded Drug Tariff status 2009.

He is a Chartered Biologist, a Companion of Honour, The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Member Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine.. He was elected an Honorary Life Member of the United States Army Medical Research Society and Honorary Life Member of the City & Guilds of London Institute. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a Fellow of the City & Guilds of London Institute, a Fellow of the Linnean Society, and Fellow of the London Medical Society and is a Member of the New York Academy of Sciences. He has been awarded the Degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa by the University of Leeds, the Degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa by the University of London, the Degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa by the University of Bradford and the Degree of Doctor of Technology honoris causa Brunel University.

He was President of the Bradford Medico-Chirurgical Society 1998 (Founded in 1863) and was a member of the Research Advisory and Liaison Committee, Northern & Yorkshire NHS Executive, and was a member of the National Advisory Board NHS Executive on Intellectual Property and he was Chairman of the Quality of Life Committee Head & Neck Working Group Yorkshire Regional Cancer Organisation. He was a member of the Board of Medilink. He was Vice-Chairman of the Senior Awards Committee City & Guilds of London Institute, and was President of the City & Guilds Association in 1997-2003

Is President of the British Institute of Surgical Technologists 1998-. He is an Honorary Liveryman of the Clothworkers’ Company and a Freeman of the City of London.

He was Deputy Chairman, Council of United Kingdom University Councils 1993-98.

County President of the British Red Cross for West Yorkshire 1986-2003.

He is a trustee of the Hull and East Yorkshire Medical Research Centre, 1995-2008. He is President of the Royal British Legion for Leeds District and former County President of SSAFA for West Yorkshire 1983-2017. President of the NSPCC for Leeds, and a Trustee of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. He is a Trustee of Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury Trust 2008 -. Trustee and Registrar of The League of Mercy 1999 – Trustee The Maritime Heritage Foundation 2010- . Chairman, West Riding Artillery Trust 1995-. And a Trustee Carmichael Walker Trust. He was also the Chairman of Council The Order of St John, South and West Yorkshire and a former Member of Council, North Yorkshire and Teeside, Order of St John 2002-2004.

He is a contributor to medical and dental Literature, he has published textbooks and scientific papers in his discipline. His research and development in medical science has been featured in BBC’s Tomorrow’s World and QED and on TV and radio programmes and is a biographee in Who’s Who.

‘The Roberts Clinic for Prosthetic Reconstruction’ is named after him at St Luke’s Hospital Bradford. His current research involves wound closure adhesives and novel materials to dissipate light on the surface of prosthetic skin to achieve aesthetics and function. Also the development of technology to achieve aesthetics and function in breast reconstruction. He has a lateral career with the Reserve Army.

As a Lieutenant-Colonel, he Commanded Leeds University Officers’ Training Corps from 1972-1979 and on promotion to Colonel was appointed Deputy Commander Territorial Army 2nd Infantry Division from 1980-1983, and ADC to Her Majesty the Queen 1980-1984 followed by the appointment of Commandant Yorkshire ACF from 1983-1987, awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1969. He has three bars to the Decoration.

He is Honorary Colonel of 269 (West Riding) Battery 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery, and formally Honorary Colonel of 269 Observation Post Battery, 19 Regiment Royal Artillery (24 Air Mobile Brigade), 1993-1999. 106 Air Defence Regiment Royal Artillery 1999-2007. Honorary Colonel, Leeds University Officers Training Corps 1990-1999, and Honorary Colonel, Yorkshire ACF (North & West) 1993-2005 and appointed Regimental Colonel Leeds University Officers Training Corps 1999-. He was appointed Honorary Colonel Commandant of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1996, the highest honour that the Royal Artillery can bestow on a non-serving officer. He is a Member of the Honourable Artillery Company and was Vice-Chairman, Military of Yorkshire and Humberside Reserve Forces and Cadets Association 1987-2000, and Chairman of its Joint Services Cadet Committee 2000-2008 and a Trustee of Yorkshire Cadet Trust.

He was Chairman of the Military Education Committee of the University of Leeds 1997 – 2013. Past National Chairman Council of Military Education Committees Universities, United Kingdom Universities (COMEC) 1990-96.

A member of the Army and Navy Club since 1976 and has served on the Club Committee. Alan is married to Margaret, a former Nursing Sister and Midwife. He has two sons, Martin and Adrian. His hobbies are sculpture and silver; he is an accomplished silversmith with his own hallmark. His miniature military figures are to be found in museums and collections.

His coat of arms: motto – In Omina Fidellis – Faithful in all Things. Granted, Her Majesty’s College of Arms 1993 – Lancaster Herald.